Attic insulation should never be an option in home improvement. Your attic should be insulated enough to protect you from the elements, and it will also improve your way of life in the long run. It would also help you regulate the temperature inside the house, preventing cold air from escaping during the hot summer months and the hot air from the heater during the winter months. Type of Attic Insulation depends on how you define the word “best.”
Lastly, having a well-insulated attic will help you save more on electric bills since you will not have to turn on cooling or heating appliances more often than usual. An insulated attic brings you more advantages, which is why it is crucial to have the best material for your attic insulation.
With so many options available nowadays, it can be confusing to many people out there. For someone starting out in home improvement, you want to choose the best material among different varieties available for your safety and convenience. It is, after all, expensive, so you need to select a type of attic insulation that works best for your needs.
This article shares some of the best types of attic insulation that you can choose for your attic to have a better-insulated loft and a more improved lifestyle at home.
Different Types of Attic Insulation for Your Needs
One thing you have to remember is that the “best” type of attic insulation depends on how you define the word “best.” What’s best for you might not be enough for others, and vice-versa. Here are some of the best types of attic insulation you can consider for yourself.
Fiberglass: Sturdy Yet Not Stuffy
This type is one of the most popular ones in attic insulation. However, we said it was popular and not the best. This is because even though it is sturdy, it is not the best in insulating your attic at all. Many home improvement experts disagree with many people using fiberglass batts in their attics for insulation purposes because it does not do anything. If anything, it only occupies space.
People usually use fiberglass batts for their attic insulation purposes because it is affordable, and most people can do it independently. However, it will just weigh your roof down, and it might collapse when all bad things collide in your house.
Cellulose Attic Insulation: Messy But it Works
Another popular choice among homeowners is cellulose. The type of cellulose used in attic insulation is the one sprinkled with lots of boric acids to prevent any pests or insects from living in the attic because of them. The boric acid also helps with fire resistance, which is not a fire hazard in your attic.
It offers way better insulation than fiberglass batts, and you can actually do the attic insulation job yourself. You can buy cellulose bags for insulation from your local hardware or any home improvement store for that matter. Some sellers even throw in a free insulation blower if you buy a lot.
While it gets the job done, it can be dusty, and if you have asthma, this is not the best option for you. Professional attic insulation companies often use wet-spray cellulose, which has some water on it, to control the dust and add another layer of insulation value to your attic per inch.
Cellulose traps and stops most of the air movement, which is very helpful in controlling frost in your attic. The R-value is approximately 3.5 per inch scattered on your attic. Compared to fiberglass batts, cellulose is much better as it does its job, though there are much better options if you want more.
Spray Foam: The Best Insulation Possible
Spray foam has the best attic insulation available in the market. Homeowners can choose between open-cell and closed-cell spray foam, and they have high insulation values as well. Open-cell spray foam has R-3.6, while closed-cell spray foam has R-6.5. These are already great numbers for their attic insulation performance.
Spray foam fills all corners and nooks, not leaving an inch of space behind. This is perfect for an air barrier and provides absolutely no heat transfer through the process of convection. This is why many people choose spray foam attic insulation for their attic insulation needs, even though they can be expensive to some budgets.
The insulation goes up a notch with closed-cell spray foam attic insulation. Aside from the expected heat insulation, it also provides a moist barrier thanks to its two inches of thickness. Most homes in the state of Minnesota use closed-cell spray foam attic insulation due to this reason, so if you are from Minnesota, you know what to choose now for your attic.
It is indeed expensive, and you should never try doing this yourself unless you are a professional. Always hire a professional installer for spray foam attic insulation, whether closed-cell or open-cell. Even professionals find it challenging to use a spray foam gun, the method used in spraying the spray foam all over your attic, so it would be a nightmare for an amateur.
Also, it has issues with toxic fumes during the process. If you have any problems with it, you should do some research about it. Still, if you are okay with it, you are doing a great job choosing the best material for your attic insulation needs. Always remember to entrust this to a professional for a clean delivery.
Final Thoughts
Attic insulation should never be an option for your home improvement. It is a total necessity as it helps you reduce the amount of cool air going out of your home, which is beneficial during the warmer seasons. In addition, it also enables you to reduce utility bills and blocks out moisture and frost, which is very much needed, especially in colder seasons. You just have to choose the best materials for your attic insulation to save more money in the long run.
Suppose you are still undecided on what kind of material you can use for your attic insulation needs. In that case, Mybrighthaus is happy to help you figure that out. They aim to make each home a comfortable place for families to stay all year-round. They offer a wide range of services, such as attic insulation. They can recommend the best material for your needs by giving you a free house inspection and quotes. With Mybrighthaus, everyone deserves to live in a happy home.
